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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

Ease of play

Controls are precise, work quite well. Actual gameplay is simple, too, though getting hang of winning strategies takes lots of work. Game froze on two of three devices.

Violence

Almost entire gameplay involves violence, but it's fantastical, cartoony, doesn't show any gore, blood. Characters attack each other with everything from knives, swords, guns, bows and arrows to anchors, weaponized mechanical power suits.

Sex

Stylized illustrations of both men, women with muscular, sexualized bodies, revealing, skintight clothes. Female characters are more overtly sexualized than male, with very skimpy outfits, flirtatious expressions, plenty of cleavage.

Expect to make use of in-app purchases to get rare in-game currency, which may be spent on upgrades, access to premium characters, new outfits, or option to re-roll your randomly chosen character in some game modes. Possible to play without paying, but you might get crushed by more powerful players.

Drinking, drugs & smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Vainglory is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) similar to League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm. Gameplay happens locally or online, against (respectively) AI-controlled opponents or real players. The game features fantasy violence, in-app purchases, and busty female characters in revealing outfits. New players could suffer harassment from more experienced players, and though players have to "friend" each other to use the chat function, some players use chat to send offensive or bullying messages. Teens can play for free and without creating an account, but much of the content is inaccessible that way. For information on the kinds of data the developer collects and shares, check out their privacy policy.

What's it about?

VAINGLORY is a hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players control a hero and (with the help of two to four player allies) fight against a team of enemy heroes to destroy their base. The battle takes place along paths called "lanes" that connect the two opposing bases. Players compete for control of useful resources found along these lanes, such as gold mines and health/weapon buffs. Everything's done with simple tap controls: attacking, buying power-ups, and using special abilities. Strategy and teamwork are key to success, and practice levels let players hone their skills against AI-controlled opponents before going online to challenge actual players. Players are encouraged to collect and play a range of different heroes, each with unique looks and special abilities. A recent update adds 5v5 multiplayer, Fog of War, Vain Crystal defenses, a new three-lane map called Sovereign's Rise, new jungle monsters, and powerful dragons that spawn mid-game. The game rewards players for civility, but in-game chat can still be used by some players to taunt or verbally abuse other players.

Is it any good?

In many ways, this MOBA is as much fun as its PC competitors, but as with any game played with real people, there's a high potential for abuse. Vainglory is certainly more accessible: its comprehensive tutorial spells out all the basics, and its diverse range of characters caters to every kind of player. The graphics, artwork, and animations are all top-tier, and the game plays well even on older devices. With Vainglory becoming increasingly prominent in the world of eSports, casual matches can contain pro-level players who regularly trounce newer players, and that can be discouraging. Worse still, inexperienced players and losing teams can receive harassing messages from opponents and teammates alike.

The new 5v5 mode with its three-lane map ups the competitive ante even more since it adheres more closely to the larger eSports-level standard. The new mode also cranks the difficulty up a notch, requiring a greater degree of teamwork, more familiarity and skill with hero abilities, and a thorough understanding of individual player roles. Chat isn't a prominent part of the game, but since players do use it to share personal information, teens should understand what's OK -- and not OK -- to share. Even with the chat risks and the added complexity of 5v5 mode, Vainglory remains a fun, friendly, accessible way for new players to experience MOBA gameplay.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about teamwork, good sportsmanship, and online gaming with other real-world players. How can you be a good teammate and gracious winner (or loser) when you're playing behind a username? What's the best way to react to other players being mean teammates or sore losers?

Talk about staying safe online. What is it OK to share in a chat with a stranger during a game, and what should stay private?

Discuss violence in the media and the type of violence featured in the game. Do the graphics and lack of gore make a difference? Why, or why not?

Talk about the portrayal of women in games and other media. This game has female heroes, but they aren't wearing battle armor. Why are they scantily clad? What should they be wearing in the context of the game?

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